Connect with us

Other Sports

Rhyne Howard Wins WNBA Rookie of the Year

Published

on

Atlanta Dream

Former Wildcat star, Rhyne Howard ends her record-breaking rookie season by being named WNBA Rookie of the Year, announced on Thursday as she received 53 of 56 votes.

After being selected No. 1 in the 2022 NBA Draft, Howard was tasked to be the star of the rebuilding Atlanta Dream team and she did not disappoint in her rookie season. Howard put up an impressive stat line for any WNBA player, let alone a rookie: 16.2 points (led all rookies, 11th in the WNBA), 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists (led all rookies), and 1.4 steals (led all rookies).

Not to mention, accomplished many other feats including:

Advertisement
  • 2022 WNBA Rookie of the Year 
  • 2022 Associated Press Rookie of the Year 
  • 2022 USA National Training Camp selection 
  • Swept the WNBA Rookie of the Month honors (May – August), to earn the most WNBA Rookie of the Month honors in Atlanta Dream history with four 
  • Invited to compete in the WNBA All-Star Game and 3-Point Contest 
  • Most three-pointers made (85) and attempted (248) in a rookie season in league history, and the most made and attempted by any Atlanta Dream player in franchise history 
  • Most points scored in a rookie season (552) in franchise history, making her the first Dream rookie to ever eclipse 500 points in one season 
  • Most 10+ point games (30), 15+ point games (20) and 20+ point games (11) of any rookie in Dream history 
  • Most defensive rebounds (127) in a season by any Dream rookie in franchise history 
  • Became the first rookie in league history to record four 3-point field goals and four blocks in their debut game 
  • Was named the WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week and AP Player of the Week after her first week on the court in May, scoring the most points in a quarter by any rookie in the league against Indiana on May 15  

Despite missing the playoffs, Howard helped the Dream improve on their record, going from 8-24 last season to 14-22 this season.

Next season, Howard will look to build on an impressive rookie campaign and help the Dream reach the playoffs, in addition to being a star representative for the University of Kentucky.

Men's Basketball

Oscar Tshiebwe Involved in NBA Controversy with Giannis Antetokounmpo

Published

on

Oscar Tshiebwe and Giannis Antetokounmpo involved in NBA controversy.
Tshiebwe: © Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports, Antetokounmpo: © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Oscar Tshiebwe is one the of most beloved players in Kentucky basketball history. Always talking about fighting on the court, Tshiebwe is peaceful and kind off the court, but on Wednesday he found himself in the middle of controversy, to no fault of his own.

On Wednesday, the Indiana Pacers traveled to Milwaukee to take on the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Bucks. While the final score wasn’t particularly close, the game was one for the record books, as Antetokounmpo scored a franchise-record 64 points and Tshiebwe scored his first point in the NBA (note: his point scored in the NBA In-Season Championship does NOT count). Given the achievement of both, who is to receive the game ball?

That was the controversy after the game as Antetokounmpo rushed off the court into the Pacers tunnel along with several other Bucks payers in search of the ball. A scuffle then ensured which even led to Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan being elbowed in the ribs by one of the Milwaukee players.

Advertisement

Interestingly, Antetokounmpo says he didn’t want the game ball for himself, he wanted it for teammate Damian Lillard, who moved into fifth place all-time in three-pointers made, making his 2,451st on Wednesday night.

“I understand. When you score your first point in the NBA, you want to have the ball or whatever the case may be,” Antetokounmpo said of the Pacers honoring Tshiebwe’s feat. “But at the end of the day, you’re talking about the guy that just skipped Kyle Korver in the all-time list. In my opinion, we should all stop what we’re doing and appreciate greatness.”

So where did the ball go? No one is quite sure. While the Bucks believe a Pacers assistant grabbed the ball, the Pacers claim that it was a reserve game ball. One video even appears to show the actual game ball being collected by a member of the Bucks staff.

“I have no idea. I’m not going to lie,” Antetokounmpo said. “I really don’t know. I have a ball, but I don’t know if it’s the game ball. It doesn’t feel like the game ball to me. It feels like a brand-new ball. I can tell. I played, what, 35 minutes today. I know how the game ball felt. The ball that I have, which I’ll take and I’ll give it to my mom, for sure — but I don’t know if it’s actually the game ball.”

Advertisement

Tshiebwe hasn’t commented on the situation, but is giving the glory to God for his first NBA point.

Continue Reading

Other Sports

Rhyne Howard Honors Terrence Clarke in SLAM Magazine Feature

Published

on

SLAM Magazine/UK Athletics

Former Kentucky women’s basketball superstar and 2022 WNBA No. 1 overall pick Rhyne Howard honored Terrence Clarke in her recent SLAM Magazine feature.

In the feature, Howard wears Terrence Clarke’s jersey. She also said, “I keep him alive when I play.”

Clarke, who tragically passed away in a car crash on April 22, 2021, played for the Kentucky men’s basketball team during the 2020-2021 season.

Advertisement

This is not the first time Rhyne Howard has used her spotlight to honor Terrence Clarke. The night she was drafted, she wore a white, sparkly suit with a pin on it. The pin was a blue heart with a basketball and “TC5” on it.

Then, prior to finishing in the top three of the 2022 WNBA 3-Point Contest, she sported a blue varsity jacket with the same heart stitched on it.

Rhyne Howard and Terrence Clarke were as close as could be. Howard often refers to Clarke as her “little bro”.

The night Howard was drafted to the Atlanta Dream, she talked about how their connection began at UK:

Advertisement

“As soon as he stepped on campus, we instantly clicked and ever since then, we were inseparable. Just us coming in and me being able to help him and just get him through his college years.”

Now, while Howard continues to dominate on the hardwood, she also continues to honor and pay tribute to her late best friend, Terrence Clarke.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Other Sports

Kentucky Baseball Team Shows Support to Family and Teammates of 8-Year-Old Who Passed Away

Published

on

Family of Eli Hill

Earlier this week tragedy took place in Corbin (KY), as 8-year-old, Eli Hill, passed away playing basketball at his home. In a freak accident, the backboard of a basketball goal came off the pole and fell on him, succumbing to the injuries.

Following the tragedy, the community of Corbin has come together in remembrance of Eli and in support of his family and friends. On Wednesday, a vigil was held at the city’s rotary baseball park, which over a hundred people attended to honor Eli and show love for his family.

“He was a joy to be around, the amount of love, excitement. You know, the care that he had for others,” high school athlete Jacob Baker said.

Advertisement

On Thursday, the Kentucky baseball team made the hour-and-a-half trip to Corbin to show support to the baseball team of Corbin primary, the baseball team which Eli played for.

In a time of tragedy, it is heartwarming to see people from around the state rally around the family and friends of young Eli, who made an impact on many and will be missed.

The Hill family has also warned others to be cautious of a fake GoFundMe making its way around social media.

Also published on a Sea of Blue.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending